Join Suffolk artist Carla Elizabeth for her ‘Painting Garden Birds with Character’ course. During a relaxed and inspiring day of acrylic painting we’ll be celebrating the charm and personality of Britain’s favourite garden birds.
Whether it’s the confidence of a robin, the curiosity of a blue tit or the determination of a woodpecker, you’ll learn how to create expressive paintings that capture not just what a bird looks like, but what makes it unique.
This Painting Garden Birds with Character course is suitable for all abilities.
Read more
Garden birds are some of our most familiar companions, bringing colour, movement and character to our daily lives. In this workshop, you’ll explore how to transform reference photographs into lively and expressive paintings full of personality.
Through demonstrations, practical exercises and individual guidance, Carla will share her intuitive approach to painting birds, helping you simplify shapes, build confidence with acrylics and develop your own creative style.
The emphasis is on enjoyment, observation and creativity rather than perfect realism, making this workshop ideal for both beginners and experienced artists looking to loosen up and paint more expressively.
What you’ll learn
- How to identify and capture the character of garden birds
- Techniques for creating expressive acrylic paintings
- How to simplify shapes and avoid overworking your artwork
- Ways to use colour, texture and brushwork to bring paintings to life
- Tips for creating engaging wildlife compositions
Take home
- A completed acrylic painting inspired by a garden bird
- Sketches and studies developed throughout the day
- Greater confidence in painting wildlife
- Inspiration and techniques to continue painting at home
About the tutor
Carla Elizabeth is a Suffolk-based artist and workshop tutor whose work is inspired by the wildlife, coastline and countryside of East Anglia.
Known for her relaxed and encouraging teaching style, Carla has been leading creative workshops since 2024, helping artists of all abilities build confidence, develop their skills and enjoy the creative process.
Working primarily in acrylics, oils, and mixed media, Carla is particularly drawn to birds and the personalities they reveal through posture, movement and behaviour. Her recent Feathered Friends collection explores the stories and emotions we often see reflected in the natural world, an approach that forms the inspiration behind these workshops.
Explore our range of drawing and sketching courses and oil and acrylic painting courses hosted by our engaging tutors and learn from their expertise and skills. Our art courses are a chance to meet like-minded people, a chance to unwind from everyday life, and a great opportunity to experience the UK’s glorious countryside surrounding our field centres.
This course is open to participants aged 18 and over only. For under-18s, please contact the centre directly or see our young people courses and activities for families.
What's Included
-
Expert Tuition -
Free Wi-Fi -
Hot and Cold Drinks
Before You Attend
What to bring (optional)
- An A5/A4 sketchbook
- Drawing pencils
- Eraser
- Permanent ink pen
- Watercolours
- Acrylic paints
- Brushes
Opportunities to attend this course
-
Mon 26, July 2027 9:30am - Mon 26, July 2027 5:00pm
